Rail freight UK

As part of Rail Safety Week, GB Railfreight (GBRf) was awarded a ‘gold disc’ to mark their gold-level partnership with the education programme Rail Safe Friendly. Following the award GBRf will now deliver and support Rail Safe Friendly in 150 schools across the UK.

At a ceremony in Euston station, GBRf’s Chief Executive, John Smith was presented with a gold disc by Learn Live and Rail Safe Friendly Managing Director, Stuart Heaton.

Rail Safe Friendly was launched in March 2023 and delivers Network Rail’s video safety content about the dangers of trespassing on railways directly to schools via digital education provider Learn Live.

To date GBRf has already delivered Rail Safe Friendly to 65 schools in the UK, reaching c.33,000 young people, and now will step up its commitment to promote rail safety to even more young people.

Also in attendance at the ceremony was Kathryn Darbandi, Managing Director of Caledonian Sleeper who officially became members of Rail Safe Friendly today.

Since 2019, Learn Live has reached over 21 million young people and now GBRf and Caledonian Sleeper have joined the Rail Safe Friendly movement.

John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight said

“As CEO of GB Railfreight and a father, I deeply care about keeping everyone safe around the railway. The thought of my sons being caught up in an incident, is mine and every parent’s worst nightmare. The railway is a dangerous place, just like the road, and we need to educate as many young people as possible. I am proud that we’ve stepped up today to be a gold level member of this great initiative.”

Stuart Heaton, Managing Director of Rail Safe Friendly and Learn Live, said:

“We are delighted to welcome GB Rail Freight and Caledonian Sleeper to the RSF programme. Through their support we will be able to reach even more children with vital rail safety awareness with the aim of saving lives and preventing injuries on the country’s rail network and in yards, depots and sidings.”

“It is crucial that children receive vital knowledge, at a young age, to keep them rail safe. The Rail Safe Friendly programme seeks to educate children and young people on the many dangers that are present on the railway.”

Kathryn Darbandi, Managing Director of Caledonian Sleeper said;

“We are thrilled to see our long term locomotive provider, GB Railfreight, being awarded the Gold Disc today from Rail Safe Friendly to honour GB Railfreight’s commitment to promoting rail safety. We are also pleased to announce our own Rail Safe Friendly journey starts today as we officially become a member. We look forward to working with a number of schools across our route network to ensure that school kids are fully aware of the dangers of the railway.”